A primary school has failed to maintain its previously good standards and must improve in a number of areas, education watchdogs have ruled.

Ofsted inspectors gave Bessacarr Primary School a ‘requires improvement’ rating - the second lowest possible - in all key areas including pupil achievement, teaching and leadership.

It follows a previous inspection in 2009, and an interim visit in 2012, which both rated the school as ‘good’.

Headteacher Sarah Cairns said: “I would like to ensure parents and the local community that we have a good plan in place and are making the necessary improvements required by Ofsted as quickly as possible.”

After a visit in March, Inspector Sharona Semlali said pupils’ progress has slowed and teaching standards were not up to scratch in maths or English.

She said: “The teaching of mathematics is weak in some year groups. This is because some teachers do not have good enough subject knowledge in mathematics, for example, and some teachers on occasion accept incorrect answers as the right ones.”

The report added: “Leaders at all levels have not in recent times sustained good teaching across the school and so have not maintained the successes achieved in previous years.”

However teaching and pupils’ progress in early years and Key Stage 1 was praised. Inspector Semlali said teachers must ensure marking is up to date and that they motivate pupils - pictured above during a recent production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Eleanor Brazil, director of children and young people’s service, said an improvement plan has been implemented.

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